British shoe brand Clarks in exclusive deal talks with LionRock Capital- source

British shoe retailer Clarks has picked Hong Kong-based investment firm LionRock Capital to enter exclusive talks for a controlling stake in the 195-year old business, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. LionRock has prevailed in an auction process which was launched earlier this year to inject much-needed cash into the struggling Somerset-based firm which is majority owned by the Clark family, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

British shoe retailer Clarks has picked Hong Kong-based investment firm LionRock Capital to enter exclusive talks for a controlling stake in the 195-year old business, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

LionRock has prevailed in an auction process which was launched earlier this year to inject much-needed cash into the struggling Somerset-based firm which is majority owned by the Clark family, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. LionRock has elbowed our rival bidders including U.S. private equity firm Sycamore Partners and is now in exclusive talks to secure a majority stake in the footwear chain valued at 100 million pounds to 150 million pounds ($129.31 million-$193.97 million), the source said.

A spokesman for Clarks said that as part of the company's turnaround strategy its board of directors was reviewing options to best position the business and its brand for future long-term growth. LionRock declined to comment. ($1 = 0.7733 pounds) (Reporting By Pamela Barbaglia Editing by Rachel Armstrong)

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